Sufficient Grace

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” II Corinthians 12:9 (ESV).

This statement by Paul the Apostle is often quoted as an encouragement to those who deal with personal problems or weaknesses.  In context, Paul had told of the “thorn in the flesh” he suffered, a condition which he himself did not explain to us, or define.  Many scholars have proposed several possibilities, but in the end have not arrived at a conclusion as to Paul’s suffering. Was it a chronic illness he suffered over a long period of time?  Was his problem an inner psychological struggle and regret over the time before his conversion to Christianity when he went about persecuting and even trying to bring to death the early Christians?  Was it sorrow over his fellow Jews who did not turn, believing, and accept the Lord Jesus Christ?  Or, since Paul describes it as a ‘thorn in the flesh,’ was it some debilitating pain like arthritis or perhaps recurring migraine headaches?  The fact is, we do not know exactly what Paul meant by his affliction.  This we do know:  He had prayed for its removal, and the problem was not lifted.  But in the process, God revealed an important truth to Paul, one that we all need to learn and practice, regardless of what our personal or corporate problems are:  “God’s grace is sufficient for whatever eventuality we bear; His power is perfect for whatever weakness we need to overcome, or to learn to endure.”

Our weakness can be a springboard for revealing the power of God.  Paul had much to say about man’s weakness (and in particular his own) in comparison to the power and strength of God.  God chose what is weak to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27).  Regarding the resurrection, Paul wrote that we are “sown in weakness, but raised in power” (I Cor. 15; 43). We, as Paul, can even “boast in weakness” so that “the power of Christ can rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).  Recall a time in your life when you felt weak and vulnerable.  How did you handle that situation?  Did you cower and falter while facing difficulty too big for you to handle, or did you turn to God and gain His grace which is always sufficient?  Which is always perfect for our weakness?  Sometimes when we hear of other’s difficulties and how God brought them through trying times, we ourselves can be encouraged to turn to God for His grace and sufficiency to meet the challenges we face.  Looking back upon my life, I can recall many times when the way seemed uncertain and problems loomed too large for me to handle.  One was when my beloved husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  At first came denial, “This situation is not so bad yet. We can overcome this malady and live with it.”  But as time moved along the reality of dealing with a troubling and progressive disease became a twenty-four hour responsibility.  Decisions, once shared over prayer, become the caregiver’s to make.  In my case, it became a major move from a place and people I loved to a new residence, and major adjustments.  But in God’s mercy He paved the way and opened possibilities that proved to be right and good.  I remember one night when I was especially troubled I called a dear friend and minister to “cry on his shoulder.”  When telling Rev. Charles Walker the situation I faced, his immediate advice was, “Ethelene, this is God’s provision for you and Grover.”  And that 24-hour period I had to make a major decision about my husband’s entry into and care at Georgia War Veterans Home was immediately seen as a situation when the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 was operable:  “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  And, indeed, “things worked together for good” (Romans 8:28).

Prayer.  Lord, help the leaders of our nation to recognize and depend upon Your grace and power. May they turn to Thee depending upon Your sufficient grace to help in this time of need.  In Jesus’ name.